Magnetic medical treatment device

ABSTRACT

A magnetic medical treatment device having a plurality of magnets or magnetic shells so arranged that the same polarity poles of the magnets or magnetic shells closely contact a selected part of a human body such that polarization and induced currents are efficiently generated in the human body. Each of the magnetic shells of the same polarity is provided with a ferromagnetic metal plate on the side thereof opposite the body contacting sides of the magnetic shells.

1 Nov. 25, 1975 limited States Patent 11 1 Nakayama 128/1.3Australia.............................. 128/1 3 128/1.3

Australia..................,...........

United Kingdom"................

m 0 d g .m K d e .H n U 3539 6367 9998 1111 550 1 8911 777 999 525 242Minamisenju, Arakawa, Tokyo, Japan Primary Examiner-William E. KammFlledi J 1973 Attorney, Agent, or Firmlrving M. Weiner Appl. No.:323,045

[52] US. l28/l.3; 128/13 Int. A61N 1/42 A gn i m i l r atment devicehaving a plural- [58] Field of Search.......,... 128/1 R, 1.3, 24.1,68.1, y f gn or m gn ic shells so arranged that the same polarity polesof the magnets or magnetic shells closely contact a selected part of ahuman body such [56] Referen es Cit d that polarization and inducedcurrents are efficiently UNITED STATES PATENTS generated in the humanbody. Each of the magnetic shells of the same polarity is provided witha ferromagnetic metal plate on the side thereof opposite the wig/123body contacting sides of the magnetic shells.

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 237,939 2/1881 645,433 3/1900 Strange.658,027 9/1900 2 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 1849 UnitedKingdom.................. 128/1.5

US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet -1 of2 3,921,620

US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet20f2 3,921,620

MAGNETIC MEDICAL TREATMENT DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Fieldof the Invention The present invention relates to a magnetic medicaltreatment device for efficiently causing magnetic flux to act on a humanbody.

II. Description of the Prior Art A magnetic medical treatment wrist bandwhich allegedly magnetically cures an affected part of a human body bythe utilization of the magnetic force of magnets has been known.However, the conventional magnetic medical treatment wrist band has beenconstructed by merely arranging magnets in a particular pattern.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention, which will be subsequentlydescribed in greater detail, relates to a magnetic medical treatmentdevice for efficiently causing magnetic flux to act on a human body andcomprises a plurality of magnets so arranged that the same polaritypoles of the magnets contact a selected part of a human body. Thepresent invention is applicable to magnetic medical treatment devicessuch as a wrist band, belly-band, pillow, bed, pad and plaster whichmagnetically treat an affected part of a human body. The magneticmedical treatment device of the present invention greatly enhancestreating effects by effectively utilizing magnetic force to increaseflux density. For this purpose, according to the present invention, themagnetic treatment device comprises a plurality of magnets so arrangedthat the magnets of the same polarity closely contact a selected part ofa human body or alternatively, the magnets are applied withferromagnetic metal plates to the sides thereof oppoiste to the sideswhere the magnets contact the human body, whereby flux density can begreatly increased to enhance curing effects.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide amagnetic medical treatment device which can treat an affected part of ahuman body.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a magneticmedical treatment device which treats an affected part of a human bodyby arranging a plurality of magnets in a unique way.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide amagnetic medical treatment device which treats an affected part of ahuman body by arranging a plurality of magnetic shells in a unique way.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a magneticmedical treatment device which comprises a plurality of magnets soarranged that the same polarity poles of the magnets closely contact anaffected part of a human body.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a magneticmedical treatment device which comprises a plurality of magnetic shellsso arranged that the same polarity poles of the magnetic shells closelycontact the body while the magnetic shells are provided withferromagnetic metal plates on the sides opposite to the sides where theshells contact the human body.

It is a further object of the present invention to pro- It is still afurther object of the present invention to provide a magnetic medicaltreatment device in the form of a belly-band'which comprises a pluralityof magnetic shells so arranged that the same polarity of the magneticshells closely contact an affected part of a human body, and themagnetic shells are provided with ferromagnetic metal plates on thesides thereof opposite to the sides where the magnetic shells contactthe human body.

According to the present invention, there has been provided a magneticmedical treatment belly-band comprising a main body, a plurality ofmagnets secured to one side of the main body where the band contacts aselected part of a human body, the magnets being so arranged that thepoles of the same polarity are disposed in one and the same direction.Cloth pieces cover the magnets.

Other objects, advantages and applications of the present invention willbe more apparent to those skilled in the art of magnetic medicaltreatment devices when the following detailed description of someexamples of the best modes contemplated for practicing the invention isread in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which show specificembodiments of the invention for illustration purposes only, but not forlimiting the scope of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The description herein makes referenceto the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer tolike or equivalent components throughout the several views, and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a magnetic figure of one embodiment of a magnetic medicaltreatment device constructed in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention and in which the same polarity poles of magnets arearranged in the same direction;

FIG. 2 is a magnetic figure of a second embodiment of a magnetic medicaltreatment device constructed in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention and in which the opposite polarity poles of magnetsare alternately arranged;

FIG. 3 is a view showing the principle on the basis of which apolarizing current is generated;

FIG. 4 is a view showing the principle on the basis of which an inducedcurrent is generated;

FIG. 5 is a reverse side view of a belly-band in which the presentinvention is embodied;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a belly-band in which a different typeof magnetic medical treatment device embodying the present invention isemployed; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a belly-band in which a furtherdifferent type of magnetic medical treatment device embodying thepresent invention is employed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS When the same polarity poles ofseveral magnets are arranged in one and the same direction as shown inFIG. 1 and applied against a selected part of a human body, the magneticlines of force surrounding the magnets to the extent that the drivenmagnetic lines of force may permeate deep into the human body whereby ahigh polarization current is generated in the human body. The curve ofthe magnetic field outside of each of the outermost magnets will begreater than those around the remaining magnets, thereby generating aninduced current. Therefore, the arrangement of 3 magnets as shown inFIG. I is most cl'lectne to generate polarization current and inducedcurrent.

In FIG. 2. the opposite polarity poles of magnets are alternatelyarranged. Although the magnetic field outside of each of the outermostmagnets may have a greater curve than those around the remaining magnetsand an induced current will be generated as in the arrangement of FIG.1, the magnetic lines of force pass around only the surface of the humanbody and come quently, only a low polarization current is generated.

The greater the number of magnets in an array, the more effective is thegeneration of polarization and induced currents. In such a case, themagnetic lines of force between adjacent magnets are expelled far awayfrom the associated magnets by the magnetic lines of force surroundingthe magnets to permeate deep into the human body and the curve of themagnetic fields 7 around the outermost magnets is greater than those ofthe magnetic fields around the intermediate magnets.

It is generally preferable to arrange magnets in a number of n (n beinggreater than 2) along an axis of ordinate and an axis of abscissa and ata slanted angle thereto. The greater the value of n, the more effectiveis the generation of polarization and induced currents. When the samepolarity poles of the magnets are arranged in one and the samedirection, it has been experimentally found that the magnetic lines offorce are driven far away from the magnets due to the repulsion forcebetween the same polarity poles of magnets so that the magnetic line offorce can permeate deep into the human body. It has been also found thatthe magnetic lines of force outside the outermost magnets in the arraypass by nearer to the associated magnets than the magnetic lines offorce for the intermediate magnets pass by the associated magnets andthe magnetic lines of force for the outermost magnets will have a curvegreater than that of those for the intermediate magnets. However, whenthe opposite polarity poles of the magnets are alternately arranged,most of the magnetic lines of force will pass along only the surface ofthe human body and only a small portion of the magnetic lines of forcewill permeate deep into the human body.

When the magnets are arranged in a ring with the same polarity poles ofthe magnets directed inwardly, the magnetic lines of force will extendto the center of the ring without attenuation. On the other hand, whenthe opposite polarity poles of the magnets are alternately arranged in aring, the magnetic lines of force having the opposite polarities willattract toward each other and in consequence, the magnetic lines offorce will pass along only the surface of the human body.

A ring of magnets which is called a magnetic band in the art isgenerally worn on an arm or leg. In the limbs ofa human, blood and bodyfluid flow in the longitudinal direction thereof in both the hypodermaland deep areas in the human body. Therefore, it is preferable that themagnetic lines of force pass at right angles to the longitudinaldirection of the limbs and will not attenuate in the deep area of thehuman body. In other words, since a polarization current is moreeffective than an induced current for medical treatment, it ispreferable that the magnets be arranged to increase the polarizationcurrent as much as possible or the. magnets be arranged with the samepolarity poles of the magnets disposed on the inner side.

The effects of a magnetic field upon a living body are due to the factthat the electrolyte within the living body is dissociated bypolarization and induced currents and the dissociation of electrolyte iseffective in controlling the sympathetic nerve system among aut0-*I'IOITIIC nervous systems Effects of polarization and induced currentson a human body are as follows: I. Polarization current:

As shown in FIG. 3, when it is assumed that a compo-' nent of forcehaving the flux density of 2 which acts on I netic flow meter) is acurrent which is generated at electromotive force E. The polarizationcurrent gener ates an ionic polarization in the blood vessel which inturn causes electrolyte dissociation in the human body. 2. Inducedcurrent:

As shown in FIG. 4, when a magnet 3 is applied against a human body 4,only a non-uniform magnetic field acts on the human body 4. Therefore,whensome systems of the human body having a curvature (blood,

intracelluar liquid, lymph and the like) move in the direction of thecurvature or in a direction at right angles to the plane of the magneticpole, the electromotive force is in proportion to variation in themagnetic lines of force across which such systems move for a unit.

time. The relationship between the electromotive force E and variationin the magnetic lines of force maybe expressed by the equation E Kdda/dtwherein K isa proportional constant and dqS/dt is the flux densityacross which a particular system of the human body moves for a unittime. Current generated by the electromotive force is called an inducedcurrent. The in.- duced current also causes electrolyte dissociation.When the magnetic poles are arrangedso that the magnetic field inducedby the magnetic poles effectively generates polarization and inducedcurrents in a human body in the manner as mentioned hereinabove, thereis. provided a most effective magnetic medical device.

FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of the magnetic medi cal treatment device ofthe invention which is inthe form of a belly-band comprising a main body5 having i a center portion (the center portion is applied against, thewaist of a human body when the device is worntby a human) which isprovided with magnets 6 in a plural-, ity of rows with the same polaritypoles of the magnets. directing in the same direction on the side whichcontacts the belly of a human body when the belly- V band is appliedagainst the belly. Numeral 7 denotes a cloth piece which covers themagnets. I

With the arrangement and construction of the, magnetic medical treatmentdevice of the inventiomwhen the belly-band is applied against the humanbody, the magnetic lines of force induced by the magnets can permeatedeeper into the human body than the mag netic lines of force induced bythe magnets in the corre- I body 5 of the belly-band and the magneticshells. are

provided with ferromagnetic metal plates 8 on the side thereof oppositeto the side where the shells contactthe haman body. In the embodiment ofFIG. 7, the bellyband is provided with a group of magnetic shells 6 in aplurality of rows in the center or waist portion and belly portion,respectively, and each of the groups of magnetic shells are alsoprovided with the ferro-magnetic plate 8 as mentioned'in connection withthe embodiment of FIG. 6. Although not shown, the magnetic 6 tion in thecase wherein the same magnetic shell is placed on the wooden plate whichis non-magnetic both at the pole face and each of the selected points.

A second series of experiments where conducted for shells may be securedto any desired other position of 5 determining flux densities in thedirection of the magthe belly-band then the waist and belly portion asmennetic axis of a magnetic shell in the space above the tloned above,1.e., to an area in the belly-band which magnetic shell for a case inwhich an elongated glass corresponds to the slde of a human body. lnsucha sheet having magnetic shells arranged thereon with the case, themagnetic shells may be arranged with the same polarity directed in oneand the same direction poles having the same polarity (N pole or S-pole)diwas placed on a wooden plate and for the case the same rectlng in oneand the same direction or the poles havglass sheet was placed on an ironplate and the results mg the opposite polarities may be alternatelyarranged. of the measuring experiments will be given in the fol- When aplurality of magnetic shells are, respectively, lowing Table 2. providedin the waist portion and belly portion of the TABLE 7 belly-band in suchan arrangement that one or more g H magnets in the waist portion faceone or more magnets Distlmce 0f Probe from Glass Y pole face (mm) sheetin the belly portion, the magnet or magnets in the waist 3 mm 6 m 9 mm13 mm portion and the magnet or magnets in the belly portion H M, r 340700 134 78 should be so arranged that when the bellyband is worn ai gfigby a human body, the magnets of the opposite polariauss) Placed on aties face toward each other and in some cases, all the mode poles of Npolarity are provided in the waist portion Magnetic 450 290 200 120 andall the poles of S polarity are provided in the belly Shells portion. 7gllrced on an (US) (145) LI40) (154) The magnetic medical treatmentdevices of the inplate vcntlon are characterized in that In any Of theabov h arenthis zed figures represent the determined values of fluxdensities at sementloned embodiments Of 6 and 7, the Slde Of lectedpoints on magnetic shells placed on the iron plate on the basis of theflux th b ]ly b d pp it t th id Where th b lly densiticsatthecorresponding pointson magnetic shells placedon thewooden plate whichare assumed as 100. ln an case. the figures less than three places ofdecimals band contacts any part of the human body ls provided areignored, with a plate of ferromagnetic material so that the magneticfiel which act h fled d 8 upon the uman bod) is mtensl A third serles ofexperiments were conducted for del termining flux densities in themagnetic axis direction Experiments were conducted for determining fluxf or an instance 1n which the opposite polarity poles of densltles 1nthe direction of a magnetic axis at varlous magnetlc shells werealternately arranged on a wooden polnts along the magnetic axis for aninstance in which plate and for the other case in WhlCh the samemagnetlc a single magnetlc shell was placed on a wooden plate shellswere placed in the same alternate arrangement and for the other case Inwhich the same magnetic shell on an iron plate and the results ofmeasuring expertwas placed on an tron plate. In conducting theexpertments wlll be given in the following Table 3. ments, m order tomaintain the probe of a gauss meter at a precisely predetermineddistance from the mag 40 TABLE 3 netic axis, acryl resin sheets ofdifferent thicknesses Glass were placed over selected points of themagnetic axis Dista ce of probe sheet and the probe was moved along themagnetic axis fmm pole face 3 mm 6 mm 9 mm 13 mm maintaining the probein contact with the resin sheets ux c e ic enslty s e s 4 by pressingthe probe against the resm sheets with a (gauss) placed on a 420 222 15678 slight force. the partlcular gauss meter employed was a wooden platemodel GX-09 made by the Nippon Denji Sokki (Japan Electro MagneticMeasuring Instrument Co., iggfi' 450 290 200 I20 Ltd.) and the resultsof the measuring experiments will placed on an be given in the followingTable l. ('45) (54) TABLE 1 Distance of probe from 0 4 9 l5 2] pole face(mm) Density When one magnetic shell 620 400 68 32 of magwas placed on awooden netic plate of 5 mm. thick field (gauss) When one magnetic shell850 5 I0 94 43 was placed on an iron (137) (I28) (I35) (I38) (134) plateof 0.3 mm. thick (The parenthesized figures represent the determinedvalues of flux densities at selected points on a magnetic shell placedon the iron plate on the basis of the flux densities at thecorresponding points on a magnetic shell placed on the wooden platewhich are assumed as lO(). In any case. the l'lgures less than threeplaces ofdeeimals are ignored.)

From the above Table 1, it will be seen that the flux density inthemagnetic axis direction is greater in the case wherein a magnetic shellis placed on the iron plate than the flux density in the magnetic axisdirec- (The parenthesized t'lgures reprcse nt the determined \alues offlux densities at selected points on magnetic shells placed on the ironplate on the basis of the flux densities at the corresponding points onmagnetic shells placed on the wooden plate which are assumed as 100. Inany case. the figures less than three places ofdecimals are ignored.)

7 It is clear from the experimental results shown in Tables 2 and 3 thatwhether the magnetic shells are arranged so that the poles of the samepolarity mat direct in the same direction or the poles of the oppositepolarities are alternately arranged, the flux densities in the magneticaxis whenthe magnetic shells are placed on the iron plate (ferromagneticmaterial) are greater than those when the magnetic shells are placed onthe wooden plate (non-magnetic material) at different points along themagnetic axis.

A fourth series of experiments were conducted for determining the fluxdensities at different points in the magnetic axis of the centermagnetic shell in an array of magnetic shells secured to the surface ofa glass sheet. In one case, the magnetic shell-carrying glass sheet wasplaced on a wooden plate and for the other case, the same glass sheetwas placed on an iron plate. The results of the measuring experimentswill be given in the following Table 4.

(The parenthesized figures represent the determined values of the fluxdensities at selected points on the iron plate on the basis of the fluxdensities at the corresponding points on the wooden plate which areassumed at I00. In any case. the figures less than three places ofdecimals are ignored.)

From the results given in Table 4, it will be seen that the fluxdensities when the glass-sheet supported magnetic shells are placed onthe iron plate are greater than those when the same magnetic shells areplaced on the wooden plate. The results of experiments measured when themagnetic shells of the opposite polarities were alternately arranged aregiven in the following Table 5.

TABLE 5 Glass Distance of probe from sheet pole face (mm) 3 mm 6 mm 9 mml3 mm Flux Magnetic 425 275 162 81 density shells gauss placed on a unitwooden plate Magnetic 410 332 209 108 shells placedonan (120) (117)(128) (133) iron plate (The parcnthesized figures represent thedetermined values of flux densities at selected points on the iron plateon the basis ut'the flux densities at the corresponding points of thewooden plate which are assumed as lOO. In an y case. the figures lessthan three places of decimals are ignored.)

In any case, it has been found that the. flux densities when themagnetic shells are placed on the iron plate (ferro-electro metalmaterial) are greater than those when the magnetic shells are placed onthe wooden plate (non-magnetic material). And it has been found that theflux densities when the poles of the magnetic shells which have the samepolarity are arranged in the same direction are greater than those whenthe poles having the opposite polarities are alternately arranged;

2. The flux density when the poles of magnets which I have the samepolarity are arranged in the same direction is greater than that whenthe poles having different 3 polarities are alternately arranged.

3. When a ferromagnetic metal plate is appliedto the outer side or theside of a magnet which is opposite to the side which contacts the humanbody, the flux den-.

sity which acts on the human body will be greater than otherwise,regardless of whether the magnet is disposed in any way.

Therefore, when a predetermined flux density is desired, if aferromagnetic metal plate is applied to the side of a magnet opposite tothe side where the magnet contacts the human body, such a magnet may be.ofa. low magnetic force. The use of the low magnetic force,

magnet having the ferromagnetic metal plate applied to one side thereofwill have a high efficiency.

4. In order that a magnetic flux can induce a moderate degree ofmagnetic field to act on a human body to efficiently generatepolarization and induced currents in the human body, it is preferable toapply a ferromag netic metal plate to the outer side or the side of themagnet opposite to the side where the magnet contacts the human body. Ina magnetic medical treatment belly-band, the deeper the magnetic fluxpermeates the human body, the better the treatment. Therefore, thebelly-band embodying the present invention is particue larly suitablefor magnetic medical treatment purposes.

Since it does not constitute any part of the present invention totheoretically consider the phenomena which provide such effects, detailsof the phenomena will not be disclosed herein. To state briefly, it isbelieved that the flux density increases in the space on the. inner sideor the side of the magnet where the magnet contacts a human body becausethe magnetic reluctance is present on the other side or the side of themagnet where the magnet does not contact the human body.

Furthermore, the increase rate of flux density varies depending upon thearrangement of magnets, the space between magnets and the material,size, shape andthickness of the ferromagnetic metal plates. Thus, whenthe present invention is applied to a magnetic medical treatmentbellyband, it is necessary to select suitable magnets and ferromagneticmetal plates suitable for particular applications taking the abovefactors into consideration.

Although the best modes contemplated for carrying out the presentinvention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that other modifications and variations may be madewithout departing from the spirit of the present invention or the scopeof the appended claims.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A magnetic medical treatment device for a human wherein magneticforce is utilized to achieve a desired magnetic flux which is cause toact upon a human body generating polarization and induced currentswithin said human body, and comprising:

a supportive apparatus for magnetic means adapted to contact a portionof the human body;

a plurality of magnetic means arranged in a plurality of rows upon afirst surface of said supportive device, each of the means beingdisposed with respect to each other such that one pole of eachmagneticmeans closely contacts a selected part of the human body to achieve adesired intensity of magnetic flux; and

10 at least one ferromagnetic metal plate affixed to a second surface ofsaid supportive device which is opposite said first surface of saidsupportive device; wherein said supportive device comprises a bellybandhaving a main body and said magnetic means secured to said first surfaceof said supportive device where said belly-band contacts the waistportion of said human body.

2. The magnetic medical treatment device according to claim 1, whereinsaid magnetic means comprises a first plurality of magnets positioned inthe center of said main body and a second plurality of magnetspositioned in any area adjacent to one end of said main body where thebelly-band contacts the waist portion and belly portion, respectively,of said human body, and wherein, when said belly-band is worn by a humanbody, the poles are the same polarity of said first plurality of magnetssubstantially face the poles of the opposite polarity of said secondplurality of magnets.

1. A magnetic medical treatment device for a human wherein magneticforce is utilized to achieve a desired magnetic flux which is cause toact upon a human body generating polarization and induced currentswithin said human body, and comprising: a supportive apparatus formagnetic means adapted to contact a portion of the human body; aplurality of magnetic means arranged in a plurality of roWs upon a firstsurface of said supportive device, each of the means being disposed withrespect to each other such that one pole of each magnetic means closelycontacts a selected part of the human body to achieve a desiredintensity of magnetic flux; and at least one ferromagnetic metal plateaffixed to a second surface of said supportive device which is oppositesaid first surface of said supportive device; wherein said supportivedevice comprises a belly-band having a main body and said magnetic meanssecured to said first surface of said supportive device where saidbelly-band contacts the waist portion of said human body.
 2. Themagnetic medical treatment device according to claim 1, wherein saidmagnetic means comprises a first plurality of magnets positioned in thecenter of said main body and a second plurality of magnets positioned inany area adjacent to one end of said main body where the belly-bandcontacts the waist portion and belly portion, respectively, of saidhuman body, and wherein, when said belly-band is worn by a human body,the poles are the same polarity of said first plurality of magnetssubstantially face the poles of the opposite polarity of said secondplurality of magnets.